Valve tool



Apri y23, 1935. w, KULP E1- AL 1,998,548

' VALVE TOOL.

Filed June 15, 1934 z'sh'ee'tsfshee'n 1 3ra/dumme April 23, 1935.

H. w. KULP ET AL VALVE TOOL Filed June 15, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 Wal-i721 C. De//lh 6 eg Patented Apr. 23, 1935 UNITED stares rArsNr orgies Y VALVE rrooL Harry W. Kulp and Martin C. Dellinger, Lancaster, Pa., assignors to K-D Manufacturing Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June l5,1934,'Se1iarlNo. 730,833

9 Claims.

This invention relates to pry-bar type valve spring litters for use in the removal and replace'- ment of valve units'and for the compression of the valve springsincident to the operation of grinding the valves of automobile internal combustion engines, and is primarily intended for use with the V-type of multiple cylinder engines.

At least one currently popular make of automobile has the valve guidebores inits engine 10 block of Y such size that the divided .valve-stem bushing or bearing together with the valve-spring and spring retaining washer or plate may be inserted as a unit endwise from'the top of theblock and may be similarly withdrawn, a retaining plate'or keeper slidably engaging in a groove in the bushing and engaging the engine block underV the thrust of the valve spring serving to look the unit in place in the engine block in normal assembled relation. In order to grind the valve in this make of automobile engine it is necessary to remove the retaining plate or keeper, force the unit as a whole upward to free it from adhesion with the engine block and thereafter remove it frornthe engine block, compress the springrso asto remove the spring-retaining washer, after which the spring, guide bushing and retaining washer are removed from the valve stem and the valve is replaced in the engine block in association with a temporary guide bushing, according to usual known practice, and ground. To replacev the valve units the units are rst reassembled, then inserted in the engine block, the valve spring compressed downwardly and nally the unit retaining or keeper plates are inserted.

The present invention has been developed with the above considerations in `mind and has primarily in view the provision of a single tool capable ofk eiiiciently performing the several lifting and depressing operations as well as the compressing operations required; to provide a tool which may be used as a pry-bar type tool for the several lifting and depressing operations and which may have its parts shifted in position with relation to each other to act as a plier-type or tweezer type tool for the compressing operations and in which the members will be spring-pressed away from each other and may be forced toward each otherI simply by the grip of one hand, or by being inserted between the jaws of a vise, ac-

cording as may be most convenient or preferred, to compress a valve spring of a removed valve unit; and to provide a very simple sturdy quickly separable pivotal connection for associating the g two sections of the tool for use as aV spring-com- 50 pressor.

(Cl. it-86.3)

' In the accompanying drawings, in which we have shown merely the present preferred embodiment of our invention simply by way of illustra-vr tion of the practice thereof, and with yno thought or intention of being limitedv to the specific form shown: v Y s v Figure l represents a perspective view of a tool embodying our invention;

Figure 2, a sideelevation thereof as applied in use to depress a valvefspring` preparatory to re-V moving the valve unit retaining or locking plate;

Figure 3, a perspective separated or exploded` view of the adjacent -portionsvof the interlocking ends of the sections as usedvas a pry-bar type of tool;

Figure 5, looking in the' direction of thearrows;

Figure 5, a sectional view on line 5 5 Yof Fig ure 4, looking in the Ydirection of the arrows;

- Figure 6, a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the tool as applied in use to lift or kick a valve unit out of the engine block after the removal of its retaining or locking plate; y l

"Figure k7, asideV elevation of the tool, after its sections have been shifted into plier or tweezer relationship, as used to compress the spring Vof a valve Vunit,the` tool being illustrated as heldbetween the jaws of a vise indicated by dotted or broken line-s; 4 1

' Figure 8 a fragmentary view, partly in section andpartly in side elevation of the hinge connec-` tion betweenV the Vsections and of adjacent parts of said sections when associated for spring com-Y pressing use; A

Figure 9, asectional View on the line 9--9Aof Figure 8, vlooking. in the direction of the arrows; and

' Figure 10, a sectional Viewv on theline wellll of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows. f

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the tool, which is an improvement on our invention described in, our pending application Ser. No. 662,332, filed March 23, 1933, for Valve spring lifters, comprises two channel bar form sheet metal sections l and Y2 having bifurcated jaw portions or ends 3 and 4 respectively at their distant ends and having their adjacent ends formed for interlocking overlapping relationship to form; a rigid two-part pry-bar tool. To this end the end of section I adjacent section 2 has its sides inwardly offset to be received betweenithe sides of the adjacent end portionof section .2. `The end portions of said olset side portions of section I are formed with longitudinally extending 15 Figure 4, a Sectional'view Von the line 4--4 of slots 1 to receive the cross-pin 8 extending through section 2 and similarly the corresponding end portions of the sides of section 2 are provided with similar longitudinal slots 6 to slidably receive the protruding end portions of the pin 5 extending through the sides of the offset end portion of section I, a locking member I0 serving to lock the sections together in pry-bar relationship. Said locking member IE is permanently connected to the section 2 by being pivotally mounted on the pin 8 and is held in normal locking position by a tension spring I8 and has open slots 6 intersecting the slots 6, all as more fully described in our said above referred to application Ser. No. 662,332..

The locking member I0 is preferably formed of two pieces of sheet metal having their upper portions spread to snugly receive between them the intervening portion of the section 2 and having the immediately next adjacent lower portion and the end portions preferably parallel and in contact with each other and secured together permanently in any usual known and convenient manner as by spot welding, the medial lower portions of said plates being spread apart preferably from their lower edges into substantially parallel relationship to form a spacing and bearing portion I2 of said locking member IQ, said portion I2 being of such thickness as to make a snug sliding and turning t between the opposed inner faces of the inwardly oiset end portions of the section I and about the flattened crossbar or hinge pintle I5 extending between and through the sides of said inwardly offset end portion of said member I.

Said spacing and bearing portion I2 is formed with a slot I4 of a width corresponding to the thickness of the said cross-bar or pintle I5 or very slightly in excess thereof to slidably receive the same and extends from the lower edge of said portion I2 upward to a rounded Venlarge-- ment I6 having a diameter corresponding to, or slightly in excess of, the width of said cross-bar or pintle. A leaf spring 2I secured against the inner face of the web or top of section I by any suitable means as by a rivet 23 bears with its free end against the edge of this spacing or bearing portion I2 or other part of the member I9 to force the two sections I and 2 apart about the axis of the cross-bar or pintle I5 when the two sections I and 2 are associated in plier or tweezer relationship for use in compressing springs, all as clearly illustrated in Figures 8 and y9.

A lug plate or projection I9 to serve as a fulcrum point to bear against the lower faces Grr of the engine ilanges when using the tool to depress the springs A downward to remove the unit retaining or locking plates b` is provided on the section I adjacent its jaw 3 and may be formed or provided in any convenient known manner, though preferably the same is formed of a piece of sheet metal secured to the web of section I in any convenient manner as by spot welding and having its edge portions bent upwards parallel to each other and at'right angles to said web and formed intermediate their length with upstanding rounded edge portions to serve as a rounded fulcrum bearing surface. i y

In operation, the two sections I and 2 are associated together as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 for useas a pry-bar. The jaw 3 is then inserted betweenthe helices of a spring A adjacent the upper end thereof and with the lug plate I 9 presented toward the adjacent face G of the adjacent engine flange, the tool then is tilted until lug plate I engages said faces G, when pressure is exerted in the direction of the arrow, as indicated in Figure 2, to pull the valve unit locking plate b down slightly below face G tc relieve said plate b from the infiuence of the valve spring A so that said plate o may be pulled in a direction parallel to the face G from its annular receiving groove b' in its divided valve stern guide or bearing bushing B. After said locking plate b has been thus removed, the jaw 3 is pulled free from the spring A, the jaw then being inserted between the helices of the spring A, the tool being tilted to bear against the point or corner H of the distant engine fiange and pressure being applied to the tool in the direction of the arrow as illustrated in Figure 6 to break the grip of the gummy oil, carbon and other adhesions and to force or kick the Valve unit upward through the head of the engine block. Thereafter the jaw 4 is pulled free of the spring A, the valve head D is then gripped by hand and the valve unit is lifted by hand from the engine block. With this accomplished, t' e sections l and 2 are separated and re-associated, this time for use as a springV cornprcssor, the crose-bar or pintle i5 being introduced into the slot is and being moved endwise thereof until it enters the enlarged rounded portion l5, at which time the sections I and2 are moved toward each other, so locking the said sections together until they are again moved to subu stantially right angles to allow the cross-bar or pintle i5 to be withdrawn lengthwise of the slot i4. As the said sections vI and 2 are moved from a right angle relationship toward each other about the axis of the cross-bar o-r pintle the end of the spring 2i engages the edge of the portion l2 or other edge portion of member Hl and tends to force saidl members I and 2 away from cach other. As thus associated in plier or tweezer relationship, the jaw 4 is applied against the upper end of the split bushing B and the jaw 3 against the lower end of spring A and the two sections and 2 are then moved toward each other about the axis of pintle I5, thus compressing spring A and allowing keeper E, normally resting on and held by enlarged or mush-room form lower end F of the valve stem C to be removed in a direction transverse of the stem C, when the valve unit is removed from the jaws 3 and 4, the spring A removed endwse from the valve stem C, the sections of the bushing B being then separated and removed. After the valve has been ground the bushing B is replaced on the stern, the spring A slipped over the lower end of the stem, the jaws 3 and are again applied to the lower end of the spring A and the top of bushing B respectively and moved toward each other, compressing the spring A, when the retainer E is replaced on the stem C and the unit again removed from the jaws 3 and 4, the reassembly of the valve-unit being thus completed. Thereafter said unit is reinserted in its valve bore in the engine block, the sections I and 2 being separated and reassociated as a pry-bar, the jaw 3 is again inserted between the helices of the spring A with the lug plate i9 presented toward the face G of the adjacent engine nange, pressure being applied to the tool in the direction of the arrow as illustrated in Figure 2 to again depress the spring A, this time to allow the unit locking or retaining plate b to'be reinserted in its annular groove b inthe bushing B to again lock the valveunit in operative relationship in the engine block, after which the jaw 3 is pulled from between the helices of that spring A and the job of removal, valve grinding, and

Cil

replacement is iinished as to that particular valve'y ment in such spring compressing plier relation-'- unit.

Having thus describedour invention, what we claim as new and desire'to/ secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A valve tool 'comprising a pair of sheet metal channel form lever sectionshaving their outer end portions formed lwith bifurcated jaws for use in lifting, depressing or compressing a valve spring and having their inner end portions formed to adapt Vthem to interlock to form a rigid `pry-bar type valve spring lifter and vdepressor, in combination with a flattened pivot pin extending between and rigidly mounted in the sides of and carried by the inner end portion of one or said sections, a leaf spring mounted on the inner face portion of the web of said lever and having its free end adjacent said pin spaced from said web, a manipulating grip piece constituting a spring actuated latch pivotally connected to the inner end portion of the other lever section and adapted to releasably engage the inner end portion of the pin carrying section to lockv said sections in interlocked pry-bar relationship, said grip piece being formed with an open end key-hole slot to slidably and rotatably receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said sections together in spring compressing plier relationship, said spring in such relationship engaging with its free end the opposed edge portion of said grip piece and exerting force tending to move said sections away from each other about the axis of said pivot, and said grip in all vdirections about said key-hole slot being of such thickness as to make a snug rotary sliding iit between the opposing inner faces of the sides of said pivot pin carrying section to maintain the sections in proper alignment in such spring compressing plier relationship.

2. A valve tool comprising a pair oi channel form sheet metal lever sections having their outer end portions formed with bifurcated jaws for use in lifting, depressing or compressing a valve spring and having their inner end portion formed to adapt them to interlock to forma rigid pry-bar type valve spring lifter and depressor, one of said sections being formed adjacent its jaw with a projection to engage an opposed face of the engine block to constitute a fulcrum point in depressing a valve spring, in combination with a flattened pivot pin extending between and rigidly mounted in the sides of and carried by the inner end portion of one of said sections, a leaf spring mounted on the inner face or the web of said section and having its free end adjacent said pin spaced from said web, a manipulating grip piece constituting a spring actuated latch pivotally connected to the inner end portion of the other section and adapted to releasably engage the inner end portion of the pin carrying section to lock said sections in interlocked pry-oar relationship, said grip piece being formed with an open end key-hole slotv to slidably and rotatably receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said sections together in spring compressing plier relationship, said spring in such relationship engaging with its free end the opposed edge portion of said grip piece and exerting force tending to move said sections away from each other about the axis of said pivot, and said grip adjacent said keyhole slot being of such thickness as to make a snug rotary sliding iit between the opposing inner faces of the sides'of the pivot pin carrying section to maintain the sections in proper alignship. 1

3. A valve tool comprising a pair of channel form sheet metal lever sections having their.

outer end portions formed with bifurcated jaws for'use in lifting, depressing or compressing a valve spring and having their inner end portions formed Yto adapt them to interlock to form a rigidY pry-bar vtype valve spring lifter and depressor, in combination Witha iiattened pivot pin extending between and rigidly mounted in the sides of and carried by the inner end portion of one of said sections, a latch pivotally connected to the inner end portion of the other lever `section and adapted to releasably engage the inner end portion of the pin carrying section to-lock said sections in interlocked pry-bar relationship, said latch being formed with an open end key-hole slot to slide-bly and rotatably receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said 1 sections together in spring compressing plier relationship, and a spring'adapted to exert force tending to move said sections away from :each

other about the axis of said pivot, and said latchlOl 4. A valve tool comprising a pair of lever sections having their outer end portions formed with bifurcated jaws `for use in lifting,'depressv ing or compressing a valve spring and having their inner end portions formed to adapt them the inner end portion of the pin carrying section to lock said sections in interlocked pry-bar relationship, said grip piece being formed with a key-hole slot to receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said sections together in spring compressing plier relationship, said i spring in such relationship engaging said grip piece and exerting force tendingto move said sections away from each other about the axis of said pivot.

5. A valve tool comprising a pair of lever sections having their outer end portions formed with bifurcated jaws for use in lifting, depressing or compressing a valve spring and having their inner end portions formed to adapt them to interlock to form a rigid pry-bar type valve spring lifter and depressor, in combination with a iiattened pivot pin extending between and rigidly mounted in the sides of and carried by the inner end portion of one of said sections, a latch connected to the other lever section and adapted to releasably engage the pin carrying section to lock said sections in interlocked pry-bar relationship, said latch being formed with an open end key-hole slot to slidably and rotatably receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said sections together in spring compressing plier relationship. Y i

6. A valve tool comprising a pair of lever sections having their outer end portions formed with bifurcated jaws for use in lifting, depressing or compressing a valve spring and having their inner end portions formed to adapt them to interiook to form a rigid pry-bar typevvalve spring lifter and depressor, in combination with a pivot pin carried by the inner end portion of one of said sections, a latch connected to the other lever section and adapted to reieasably engage the pin carrying section to lock said sections in interlocked pry-bar relationship, said latch being formed with a key-hole slot to receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said vsections together for relative swinging movement in spring compressing plier relationship.

'7.A valve tool comprising a pair of channel form sheet metal lever sections having their outer end portions formed with bifurcated jaws, in combination with a iiattened pivot pin extending between and rigidly mounted in the sides of and carried by the said sections, and a lea;n spring mounted on the inner face of the web of said section and having its free end adjacent said pin, the other section being formed with an open end key-hole slot to siidably and rotatably receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said sections together in spring compressing plier relationship, said leaf spring in such relationship tending to force said sections away from each other about the axis of said pivot pin.

8. A Valveftool comprising a pair of lever secinner end portion of one ofv tions having their outer end portions formedwith carried by the inner end portion of one of said sections, and a leaf spring mounted `on the latter section and having a free end adjacent said pin, the inner end portion of the other of said sections being formed with a key-hole slot to receive said pivot pin. Vto, detachably connect said sections together in spring compressing plier re lationship, said spring in such relationship exerting force tending to move said sections away from each other about the axis of said pivot.

9, A valve tool comprising a pair of lever seotions having their outer end portions formed with biiurcated jaws, in combination with a pivot pin carried by the inner end portion of one of said sections, the inner end portion of the other section being formed with a socket to receive said pivot pin to detachably connect said sections to-4 gether for relative swinging movement in spring compressing plier relationship, and a spring connected to one of said sections and adapted to engage a portion of the other section to exert force tendingY to move said sections away from each other about the axis of said pivot in such relationship.

HARRY VJ. KULP.

` MARTIN C. DELLINGER. 

